A $25 fee may soon open the gate for Amherstburg residents to legally enjoy a recreational backyard fire.

Councillors on Monday got a preview of a presentation Fire Chief Bruce Montone will provide to the public during three open sessions in late August and September.

After plenty of commentary on social media, the town now wants residents to comment on the proposed bylaw, which would allow open air burning with some restrictions.

Montone said the $25 annual permit fee would allow the department to provide educational information to applicants and a dedicated phone number for homeowners with daily information on whether it’s safe to have a fire based on weather conditions.

Small campfires, outdoor cooking and recreational outdoor fireplaces would be allowed on lots bigger than 60 feet by 100 feet and where there are certain clearances from any combustible materials.

Wood, brush and sticks would be permissible to burn but not grass, leaves, garbage, treated wood, tires, newspapers, asphalt shingles, plastics and other materials under the proposed rules.

The proposed bylaw also allows for burning land-clearing debris on farmland.

“Smoke from uncontrolled open burning pollutes the air and is unhealthy to breathe,” Montone said. “Managing open burning and placing appropriate controls in place would go a long way to assist in managing those community air zones.”

Montone said despite the current ban on open air fires, they occur regularly in all parts of the town.

Since February 2016, when a bylaw was passed, the town has received 54 burning complaints. Montone said the fire department’s response to those calls cost $12,480. Almost $7,000 has been recovered through fines.

Amherstburg is the only municipality in Essex County that doesn’t have a “permissive bylaw of some sort” for open air burning. The City of Windsor uses the Ontario Fire Code and doesn’t allow any open air burning.

“I’ve really heard from both sides,” Mayor Aldo DiCarlo said after the meeting. “(From) those who really think it’s just absurd to even be discussing opening up the bylaw and those who feel that if they’re in an area where their neighbours are not opposed to campfires, why shouldn’t they be able to do it.”

The public open houses will be held Aug. 17 at the Libro Centre, Sept. 12 at the fire department’s Station 3 at Malden Centre and Sept. 26 at Station 2 on Middle Side Road.

An online survey, where residents can comment anonymously, begins Thursday and will close Sept. 27.

“There’s a lot of opportunity for the public to come out,” DiCarlo said. “I hope they use the opportunity and we will be there to hear their concerns.”

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